Nader says Boeing pressure on union ‘unseemly’

In an open letter to Boeing CEO Jim McNerney on Thursday, Nader said the company’s effort to squeeze worker pensions and pay is “unseemly.” He cited McNerney’s salary as one reason and the tax advantages the company is receiving as another.

Boeing is seeking a new contract with Machinists in the Puget Sound area that would move workers away from traditional pension plans. Machinists rejected an initial contract offer last month, but national leaders in the union are scheduling a Jan. 3 vote on a revised contract offer.

Boeing has vowed to build the company’s new 777X airplane in the Puget Sound if the Machinists agree to the new contract.